Steve Chadie is the Chief Engineer at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Recording Studio, located just outside of Austin, TX. Recently, Chadie talked about the studio’s new Neve 5088, riding faders while tracking Willie, and more. The interview has been embedded below.

The 5088 is a culmination of Mr. Rupert Neve’s vast analogue circuitry knowledge. As his first fully discrete mixing design in over 30 years, the 5088 incorporates and improves upon many of the same concepts, such as the single-sided, fully discrete amplification and complete transformer isolation that made his original designs so revered – except unlike many of those aging classics, maintenance is no longer a full time job.

Sound Without Compromise
To stay current in the recording business you must be able to continuously adapt your environment to the needs at hand. Because the 5088 is completely modular, channel strips and Portico processing modules like EQ, microphone preamplification and dynamics can be added or removed to meet constantly changing demands and eliminate the massive redundancies of consoles from yesteryear. If you don’t need it, your console doesn’t need it either.

The Input Channel
5088-Channel Description Beyond its exceptional sound quality, the 5088 channel strip is designed to effectively handle multiple normalled sources, creating master, group and aux mixes with great efficiency. With 8 auxes, 8 “Groups”, “Solo”, “Mute”, “Send Follows Pan”, “Aux to Group”, a transformer coupled direct out and optional motorized fader automation on each channel, even the most complex mixes are within reach.
The Stereo Input Channel
Stereo Channel description In lieu of mono input channels with selectable Line 1 / Line 2 Inputs, Stereo Input Channels can be fitted to increase the channel count without having to add an expansion chassis. The Stereo Module has all of the group sends, six auxes, stereo width control, and individual trims and pans for each channel.

The Group Channel
Group Channel DescriptionWith 4 pairs of FX returns and aux master controls, alongside high-quality 100mm faders, direct outs and transformer-coupled inserts for each of the 8 mix groups, the group master section provides the medium to control 4 stereo stem mixes while tying together an entire array of channel strips. If necessary, the insert returns and stereo FX returns can be used as an additional 16 inputs for summing.
The Monitor Master
shelford-monitor-section-description-sqThe monitor master section has 6 source selections, 3 transformer-coupled speaker outputs, talkback, oscillator controls, 2 VU meters, stereo inserts, stereo level and control room master level. As with the the channel and group modules, anodized aluminum knobs provide the solid feel and response needed for precise adjustments.

SwiftMix™ Automation
swiftmix-iconBuilt around state-of-the-art motorized faders and DAW control over ethernet, SwiftMix combines the accuracy and convenience of digital automation with the unrivaled analogue sound of the Rupert Neve Designs 5088 Console.